B.C. legislature resumes, MLAs elect Liberal Steve Thomson as Speaker

VICTORIA – B.C.’s politicians returned to the legislature Thursday for the first time since the May 9 election, where the first order of business was to elect a Speaker.

Liberal Steve Thomson resigned as forests minister to take the job, saying he will “endeavor at all times to carry out my duties with fairness and integrity.” He was the only MLA to put forward his name for the job. Prior to politics he was a member of the Canadian National Rugby team, with the nickname “the Ox.”

“I’m humbled, I’m honoured, I’m excited about being selected as the Speaker for this assembly,” said Thomson. “I understand the high traditions that come with this job.”

“I’ve always had very high esteem for the legislature and the role of the Speaker and I’ve always had an interest. When it became clear the government was going to put forward a speaker in the legislative session I indicated I’d be interested.”

Thomson would not say whether he’d agreed to resign if and when the Liberal government is defeated on a confidence vote, however the Liberals have indicated it would be the responsibility of the New Democrats to find their own Speaker if they take over government.

Aboriginal Relations Minister John Rustad will assume the job of Forests Minister with Thomson’s departure. Most recently, Thomson stick-handled the softwood lumber dispute file with the United States, but said that remains in good hands with Rustad.

Premier Christy Clark praised the choice.

“You bring integrity, you bring compassion, you are a man that stands on principle but a man that also finds a way to bring people together,” said Clark.

“As I often say politics needs more rugby players and I think all members will agree even when this debate become contentious… you have sometimes stood alone amongst us as someone who brought calm, who brought fairness of thought, who brought a level of decorum to this house that sadly has become a little unfamiliar over the years.

“I can’t think of a better choice to set the tone, or a bigger man to enforce the rules.”

NDP Leader John Horgan also praised the move. “Among us I could not think of a more respected and better person to take on this important challenge,” he said. “I found you always to be respectful.”

Andrew Weaver said it was “an exceptional choice” by the Liberals and has set a tone of non-partisanship at the start of the session.

Which MLA will serve as Speaker has been a point of considerable debate since the election, because none of the three parties at first wanted to offer up an MLA to the position when only one vote separates the NDP-Green alliance from the Liberal government.

Traditionally, the Speaker has been the non-partisan referee of the chamber, enforcing the rules and ensuring all MLAs get appropriate time to speak. Normally, the Speaker does not vote on legislation.

However, if the NDP-Green alliance defeats Clark’s throne speech on a confidence vote next week, it’s expected the Liberal Speaker will resign and force the NDP to elect someone to the position.

That would leave both parties deadlocked at 43 votes each, and force the previously non-partisan Speaker to cast the deciding vote on virtually all motions and bills.

MLAs will not vote on the throne speech Thursday, but the NDP could try to amend it with a non confidence vote on Monday and topple the Liberal government as early as June 29.

Clark said Wednesday her goal is to select the best policies from the campaigns of the three parties and then try to embarrass her opponents into voting against them.

Horgan shot back at that assertion Thursday, saying Clark’s language shows she’s still trying to find partisan attacks rather than collaborate. “That’s a partisan approach is what that is,” he said. “I stepped up to take on these responsibilities because I want to help people not because I want to embarrass anybody.

“If the premier’s expressed purpose is to waste the next week that could be put into making life better for British Columbians, if she wants to spend the next week to try and embarrass me I give her her last days to do that.”

He said he believes an NDP-Green alliance can be a stable government, despite its one-vote margin, that will be effective and collaborate with any Liberals who want to get work done in the legislature.

“I’m hopeful all members will realize the sooner we put away the make-believe throne speech and come forward with a real throne speech the sooner we can get working on the issues that matter to people – education, health care, making sure we are addressing transit in the lower mainland,” said Horgan.

“Everything I’ve heard from the Liberals we campaigned on.”

Weaver told reporters he believes the Greens have made a big difference in politics because many of the campaign items are now reflected in the Liberal throne speech. However, he still said he can’t support the Liberals because it’s a matter of trust and that the fact the party is only converting to the ideas now in its dying days does not give him confidence it should be propped up for another term in government.

“It’s a question of who do you trust to implement the measures that are being brought forward?” said Weaver.

“Do you trust a government that is suddenly, in the 11th hour, in the dying death throes of the government, suddenly change their feelings? That lacks principle. So we always argue we’re going to be principled in our decision-making, it lacks principles and conviction to suddenly switch in a desperate attempt to hang on to power. That doesn’t give me confidence, or give my colleagues confidence, that this government should continue forward.”

This Week's Flyers

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.